The 23 Essential Washington, D.C., Bars: Fall 2017

Washington, D.C., has long been one of the country's hardest-drinking towns. The politics and traffic can do that to you apparently. But little by little, the District has quietly become a leader for high-end drinking experiences and watering holes of all varieties, including some of the most destination-worthy drinking spots found anywhere in the nation. Consider this your must-do list for the capital city.—Jake Emen

*Bars are listed in alphabetical order.

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All Souls, "A Corner Bar," is probably the place that the bartenders from your favorite labor-intensive craft cocktail joint go to…

All Souls, "A Corner Bar," is probably the place that the bartenders from your favorite labor-intensive craft cocktail joint go to unwind after a shift or on an off day. In other words, expect a low-key, neighborhood-friendly joint, with an affordable modest-sized lineup of beer and wine and just a few light snacks to munch on. Beyond the brews, there's a lineup of 20 well-made but frills-free numbered cocktails that deliver bang for your buck at $9 a pop.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The house special is the All Souls, a glass of sparkling rosé with a shot of Maker's Mark, is a winning duo if there ever was one.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: There's an open food policy that lets you get your grub delivered to the bar or bring it with you.

The District had been missing a true Tiki hub until Archipelago came along and officially opened in March. The multistory space…

The District had been missing a true Tiki hub until Archipelago came along and officially opened in March. The multistory space on the corner of 12th & U Streets is a product of four bartender buddies who collectively wanted to leave all pretension on the door, rock some Hawaiian shirts and serve excellent Tiki libations. The team sticks by the quality of its classic Mai Tai, but the drink menu largely offers original concoctions, and most every ingredient is made in-house, including its own orgeat and falernum syrups. A modest Polynesian-and-Chinese-inspired food lineup is available.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The house frozen Piña Colada has a delightful just-right texture that's sure to please. The large-format drinks, including the Pineapple of Hospitality, are also crowd favorites.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: If you're at a Tiki joint but for some reason Vodka Soda is really your thing, that's what they'll make you. Keep in mind, though, that there's only a handful of beers by the can or wines available.

barmini is the conjoined cocktail lounge to Jose Andrés' culinary playground minibar, and the libations here receive just as much mad…

barmini is the conjoined cocktail lounge to Jose Andrés' culinary playground minibar, and the libations here receive just as much mad science and innovation as the food does next door. The cocktail menu houses 100 drinks, half of which are classics across a full range of spirits categories and half of which are house concoctions. (A drink with two lines next to it is an original from the bar team.) Expect everything from color-changing cocktails, house-distilled infusions and sous vide riffs on dessert in a glass to dry-ice clouds and liquid nitrogen. A small lineup of food is available as well.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: Barrel-aged cocktails? Is this 2010? Try the leather-bota-bag-aged Leatherette, with brandy, rye whiskey, Spanish vermouth and oloroso sherry.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Best to play it safe with a reservation, especially on the weekends. How do you get inside? Ring the doorbell.

You'd be forgiven if you thought Bourbon Steak was nothing more than a place to see and be seen since it’s…

You'd be forgiven if you thought Bourbon Steak was nothing more than a place to see and be seen since it’s located in the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown. But you'd be missing out on the creative bar program run by head bartender Torrence Swain. With a focus on premium, fresh ingredients and making as much in-house as possible, the cocktail collection offers something for any taste, from old-school classics to seasonal specialties and beyond. There's also a mammoth whiskey and global spirits assortment to peruse as well, not to mention cigars and several dozen wines by the glass.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: Dirty Martini fans, prepare to be wowed with the Potomac, a riff using house-made white truffle brine and Absolut Elyx vodka, served with a truffle and pecorino stuffed olive.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Some of the best drinking on the menu offers customization with a choice of spirit or by mixing and matching flavors. Prefer to see a show rather than make a decision? Ask about the tableside cocktail presentations.

The latest lively addition to Jose Andrés’ portfolio, China Chilcano is a Peruvian joint that showcases the country's different cultural influences…

The latest lively addition to Jose Andrés’ portfolio, China Chilcano is a Peruvian joint that showcases the country's different cultural influences across a range of cuisine styles. If you know anything about Peru, you know about pisco, and China Chilcano has one of the country's most expansive pisco portfolios. It's broken down by style—puros, acholados and mosto verdes—as well as by grape varietal. It also has more than half a dozen house macerados—pisco infused with different fruits and herbs—and a lineup of predominantly but not exclusively pisco cocktails. There's a strong wine list, as well, focused on South American and Spanish selections.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The Cholotini is a winner, made with Macchu pisco, prickly pear, passion fruit and lemon. Or try the Chicha Punch, made with chicha morada, a purple corn-based Peruvian specialty.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The daily 4 to 6 p.m. Pisco Hour at the bar offers some of the best drink deals in that part of town, like a perfectly made $5 Pisco Sour.

Five hundred and fifty five—that's the number of beers in the collection put together by partner and beer director Greg Engert.…

Five hundred and fifty five—that's the number of beers in the collection put together by partner and beer director Greg Engert. The 500 bottles, 50 draft selections and five casks make it the city's preeminent beer emporium. That's where the list started anyway, and it's grown since then. The draft lineup is easy to sort through, broken down into seven main flavor profiles, then further classified into subgroups. For example, the Roast beers are divvied into Dark & Dry as well as Soft & Silky selections. If you don't come in with a personal must-try rare find, though, ask for some menu guidance from the well-seasoned suds experts behind the bar.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The highly coveted cask ales are where it's at. One recent standout was Flying Dog's Raging Bitch, finished in the cask with mango and habanero.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Churchkey is above full-service sister restaurant Birch & Barley, which provides a lineup of high-end food not found at your typical beer bar.

The new Columbia Room from Derek Brown is a monument to the cocktail and really to drinking and living well. While…

The new Columbia Room from Derek Brown is a monument to the cocktail and really to drinking and living well. While the city mourned when the original bar closed, it led to the creation of this magical place, instantly and unquestionably one of the country's preeminent cocktail establishments. It's divided into three distinct areas: an outdoor Punch Garden, a comfortable lounge dubbed the Spirits Library, where a la carte cocktails are available, and the phenomenal Tasting Room, where a seasonal multicourse cocktail and food menu is offered. There, head bartender J.P. Fetherston holds cocktail court in front of a beautiful hand-designed mosaic mural for patrons seated across a single elongated table, the best dinner and drinks with a show you could dream up.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The menu changes with the season, but a lineup of featured Old Fashioned riffs has remained, including the Right Side Up, with oloroso sherry, brandy de Jerez, rye whiskey, black lemon bitters, cane sugar and pineapple oleo saccharum, garnished with a pineapple fan.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: You will need a reservation to snag a seat for the Tasting Room's multicourse menu but can try to find a walk-in spot for the Spirits Library.

Compass Rose is dedicated to a global array of street food. The bar and restaurant from owner Rose Previte is known…

Compass Rose is dedicated to a global array of street food. The bar and restaurant from owner Rose Previte is known for its friendly, homey vibe, making it a gathering place and hub for neighborhood regulars. The bar, lined with tall, upholstered lounge-style chairs, serves equally well as a spot for after-work drinks and conversation or the bustling late-night scene it morphs into. Luckily, the full food menu is available at the bar, too, because the addictive khachapuri, a Georgian bread boat filled with an egg and loads of cheese and butter, is one of the city's must-have dishes.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The eponymous Compass Rose is a refreshing choice, with Georgian sparkling wine, pomegranate liqueur and rose water.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The bar space is small and quickly packs up, and the dining room doesn't take reservations. Plan accordingly for weekend evenings.

The chalkboard cocktail menu at Copycat Co. is one of the more captivating ways to showcase a range of house libations.…

The chalkboard cocktail menu at Copycat Co. is one of the more captivating ways to showcase a range of house libations. The brightly drawn lineup may showcase a family tree of takes on classic staples such as a Manhattan or a lineup of season specialties, for instance. The full written menu breaks down cocktails into core categories to help you navigate a world of Smashes, Gimlets and Martinis, while concocting your own preferred methodology. With only a handful of beer and wine selections are offered, this place is about the cocktails—oh, and cheap pot stickers, bao and skewers.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: Your Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Martini or Smash your way, as per the menu's helpful educational breakdown

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Skip the street-level area and head straight up the staircase to the sleek, dark vibes of the upstairs bar and lounge.

Located in the basement of Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Dram & Grain is its own operation, offering the speakeasy setting done…

Located in the basement of Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Dram & Grain is its own operation, offering the speakeasy setting done right. You'll maneuver behind an "employees only" door, down a staircase and through several more doors before finding a dimly lit, comfortable lounge, stocked with vintage whiskey and rare spirits. The latest 25-cocktail lineup incorporates literally scores of house-made ingredients. Dubbed Dram & Global, the menu draws inspiration from five cities—Havana, London, New Orleans, San Francisco and Tokyo. A group of four currently helms the bar, with each taking on one of those cities and the team collaborating together on the fifth.

Josh Phillips is one of just a few dozen certified Master Mezcaliers the world over, and beverage director Megan Barnes served…

Josh Phillips is one of just a few dozen certified Master Mezcaliers the world over, and beverage director Megan Barnes served stints at some of the city's finest cocktail havens. Together, they're a fierce mezcal duo who have quickly cultivated a bunch of mezcal-mad followers in the District. Find roughly 100 agaves on the list, a series of mezcal flights focused on different aspects of production or flavor profiles, and an excellent lineup of cocktails. The robust flavors of the food scream authentic Oaxaca, too, so don't pass up on one of more than half a dozen moles, or choose from a lineup of tacos, ceviche and sopes.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The Mayahuel is tabbed on the menu as "if a Margarita was awesome, it would be a Mayahuel." Indeed, the smoky Margarita riff is on point.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Does the mezcal list look daunting? Ask your bartender or server, as all showcase bona fide mezcal knowledge, and the menu is designed to encourage interaction and education.

The Gibson helped to usher in the speakeasy craze within the District, which thankfully has subsided to some degree, with only…

The Gibson helped to usher in the speakeasy craze within the District, which thankfully has subsided to some degree, with only the strongest of the bunch surviving. While The Gibson does have an unmarked entrance and a strict stance about its reservations, one of the reasons it remains is that the bar was always first and foremost about the quality of its drinks. A seasonal lineup of libations is dozens deep, while guests are also encouraged to be open its preferences and have the bartenders craft something up.

Hank's Oyster Bar has several locations, with Hank's On the Hill appropriately found in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. There's also an…

Hank's Oyster Bar has several locations, with Hank's On the Hill appropriately found in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. There's also an Alexandria outpost and the original location that opened in Dupont Circle more than a decade ago. The concept is from chef owner Jamie Leeds, who proudly serves up what she calls urban beach food. The beachy vibes extend with a happy hour that lasts four hours, takes a break for an hour and then is replaced by a half-price raw bar starting at 9 p.m. until close. The cocktails stand out, but there's also an underappreciated beer list well-tuned to go with the fare.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: An Italian Gentleman Riding His Bike Through the Piazza With His Pant Leg Rolled Slightly Above His Ankle—the evocative name of this cocktail somehow perfectly describes gin, Aperol, grapefruit, mint and soda.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The 3 to 7 p.m. happy hour draws crowds both for its ample raw bar specials, as well as a $4 and $5 beer and wine lineup to wash it all down with.

The largest whiskey portfolio in the country tantalizingly adorns the walls that wrap around the main-level dining room of the multistory…

The largest whiskey portfolio in the country tantalizingly adorns the walls that wrap around the main-level dining room of the multistory Jack Rose Dining Saloon. At last count, the active list hovered near 2,700 different whiskeys, including some of the rarest vintage finds on the planet, carefully hunted down by proprietor Bill Thomas. The upper level of the space offers an open-air roof deck, a back Tiki area and a closed-in private dining room with fireplace, while the basement houses cocktail bar Dram & Grain. Don't pass up the Southern fare either—grab an order of fried chicken skins or an order of freshly baked biscuits with ham and pimento cheese.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: You're here for the whiskey, yes? Come in with a game plan of something you want to sample or else you'll get lost, and plan to ask for staff advice. Or try a flight, which offers variety at generally generous prices.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Why does your whiskey come with a water dropper? Taste like a pro by sampling a strong whiskey neat and then adding a few drops of water to open it up.

Husband-and-wife team Anastasia Mori and Dave Bloom opened La Jambe to feed their passion for French wine and cheese. Having no…

Husband-and-wife team Anastasia Mori and Dave Bloom opened La Jambe to feed their passion for French wine and cheese. Having no prior bar and restaurant experience between them didn't stop it from quickly becoming the Shaw neighborhood's latest smash hit. Find a carefully curated lineup of whites and reds from small-batch producers, and cocktails made entirely from French or D.C. spirits and ingredients.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The cocktail menu changes seasonally, but never feel bashful to ask for La Surprise and have the bartender work up a special concoction just for you.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Come for the drinks, stay for the cheese. Ask about the latest unique finds and build a loaded plate to go along with all of that wine.

If you thought that Masseria was all about its food, you're wrong. The wine list is extensive and painstakingly curated by…

If you thought that Masseria was all about its food, you're wrong. The wine list is extensive and painstakingly curated by sommelier David Kurka. Meanwhile, bar manager Julien-Pierre Bourgon serves up delicious cocktails that walk the line between sophisticated and playfully inventive. All the better if you pair the libations with some of chef Nicholas Stefanelli's highly touted Italian cuisine. However, the bar is worth a visit all on its own and even offers a menu of affordable, small bites compared to the multicourse tasting menus offered at tables. That's a win-win!

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The Fumo di Uva continues to be reinvented but generally features a combination of brandy and black walnut liqueur, served in snifter filled with infused smoke.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Bourgon names his drinks based on song lyrics or assorted pop culture references, and Masseria also holds the occasional cocktail-naming contest, with free dinners up for grabs.

Maneuver through the Hay-Adams hotel lobby, down a back staircase and into Off the Record, a swanky lounge and bar replete…

Maneuver through the Hay-Adams hotel lobby, down a back staircase and into Off the Record, a swanky lounge and bar replete with all of the red leather, velvet and mahogany you'd expect. Off the Record pulls in everyone from political A-listers to everyday Washingtonians and curious tourists who managed to get a good tip of where to go. The bar's motto is that it's a place "to be seen and not heard," so try not to gawk at any House members who may or may not be avoiding its staffers by hiding away in a nook of the dark bar.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The monstrous nine-ounce house Manhattan is as surefire a successful drink order as there is in this town.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The bar has a small but diverse dining menu, although you might wind up simply snacking on the complimentary tray of snacks delivered with your drinks.

Petworth Citizen is a laid-back locals-friendly neighborhood joint, serving a section of D.C. that until recently was largely ignored by bargoers…

Petworth Citizen is a laid-back locals-friendly neighborhood joint, serving a section of D.C. that until recently was largely ignored by bargoers who didn't call Petworth home. But easygoing neighborhood bars can sometimes be hard to find in D.C., making Petworth Citizen a worthy venture. Inside, find a small but rewarding menu of pub fare ranging from a house chorizo burger to manchego mac and cheese. The small back area, Reading Room, offers walls of color-sorted books you can borrow, along with Friday and Saturday night Literary Cocktail sessions from Chantal Tseng. She chooses a different author as the inspiration each week, crafting a lineup of themed cocktails.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: It’s hard to pass up a classic like the Last Word when it's on the menu and prepared perfectly. Or go in the opposite direction with a Petworth Combo: Miller High Life and a shot of Old Overholt rye for $7.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Literary Cocktail nights have become quite popular, so you may have to grab a round at the main bar before nabbing an open space in the tiny back area.

Todd Thrasher made speakeasies in the D.C. metro area cool years before the cool kids knew they were cool. Got it?…

Todd Thrasher made speakeasies in the D.C. metro area cool years before the cool kids knew they were cool. Got it? Good. For better or worse, there was a long line of imitators that followed in PX's wake, but definitely for the better, there's also been a who's who of D,C, bartenders who have learned under or been influenced by Thrasher. The intimate 25-seat PX, which just celebrated 10 years, is also one of the more authentically true-to-form speakeasies, with a classy, vintage vibe and legitimate confusion for how first-timers find the joint. Proper attire is encouraged.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: A Champagne cocktail delivered aflame with a fiery sugar cube is a good start, or finish, to most evenings. Or grab the best Grog you've ever had, with lemon verbena tea and rum.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Reservations are required, and last-minute cancellations could get your credit card charged. Look for the blue light on Columbus Street; PX is above Eamonn's.

Located in the Willard InterContinental hotel, Round Robin is the oldest bar in the city operated at its original location. As…

Located in the Willard InterContinental hotel, Round Robin is the oldest bar in the city operated at its original location. As such, it's unsurprisingly old-school with dark wood, rich leather and green walls adorned with portraits of famous patrons of centuries past. It has been reopened for 30 years, with bartender Jim Hewes serving both his signature stories as well as well-honed classics for that entire time. The beautiful center bar display with its shelves of whiskey, cognac and glassware draws eyes, at least from those who aren't too busy peeking around for visiting foreign dignitaries and politicians.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: The Mint Julep, with a recipe pulled straight from the 1800s and U.S. Senator Henry Clay, has been long-perfected by Hewes and the rest of the Round Robin team.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: All are welcome, from hotel guests to those dignitaries to regular patrons, so don't be scared away from what could seem an intimidating bar scene.

21.
The Royal

The Royal immediately became a neighborhood staple when it opened in the summer of 2015. Located in LeDroit Park, it's between…

The Royal immediately became a neighborhood staple when it opened in the summer of 2015. Located in LeDroit Park, it's between the now-bustling Shaw neighborhood and emerging Bloomingdale. It opens early seven days a week for breakfast and stays open until at least midnight each night as well. Expect a focused wine list, a locally focused beer selection and standout cocktails, including reinterpretations of classics and house specialties. There's also flavorful, fun Latin-inspired fare from a wood-burning grill. Themed Royal Knights events are held one Monday per month, with guest bartenders, a lineup of special cocktails and large crowds of revelers.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: House-made vermouth on tap. Or put that vermouth to use in the Vermouth Cocktail, also with Plymouth gin, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The Royal doesn't take reservations, and you'll need to place your food order up at the bar if you nabbed a table.

After creating the cocktail programs behind a litany of D.C. bars, Glendon Hartley and Chad Spangler teamed up with partner Chris…

After creating the cocktail programs behind a litany of D.C. bars, Glendon Hartley and Chad Spangler teamed up with partner Chris Willoughby to create their own spot. The result is Service Bar, the ultimately neighborhood friendly joint, offering a mix of high-end cocktails and plenty of fun diversions. The Cocktails & Tomfoolery guide, also known as the menu, offers a permanent buy-one-get-one shot policy, $7 all-day everyday classics like Daiquiris or Old Fashioneds, and the innovative "hyper seasonal" cocktail list.

Adam Bernbach steers the ship at 2 Birds 1 Stone. Each week, he unveils a new hand-drawn menu featuring at least…

Adam Bernbach steers the ship at 2 Birds 1 Stone. Each week, he unveils a new hand-drawn menu featuring at least half a dozen fresh cocktails. While some get brought back, over the course of several years he has unleashed hundreds upon hundreds of different libations to the masses. His inventive cocktails are the main appeal, but the trendy bar becomes a bumping late-night spot on the weekends as well. Its summer Frappe Hour became a citywide sensation, culminating in Fuck It Frosé Week, with hopes that the blended delights would remain this fall, too.

THE DRINK TO DRINK: After taking off its house-made ginger beer from the menu, there were threats of mutiny, according to Bernbach. So nab a cocktail that uses it, such as a seasonal Pimm's Cup.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The bar is located in the basement underneath Doi Moi. The staircase leading down to it is actually on S Street.